Lights

[riverman444]

I just setup a 30 gallon long. The hood came with a cheap old 25 watt bulb. Being a planted tank, I obviously need more. I inject CO2 and dose in other tanks and want to get the 30 gallon ready for my first attempt at a high tech setup.

I've been looking around and really don't know what to get. I'm not the expert on lighting. I know what I need as far as WPG, but I see SO many different bulbs. Some are specific to reef setups blah-de-blah. I just don't want to buy the wrong bulb.

Whatcha think of this one?

http/www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/produc...id1=1843;pcid2=

 

[Jen]

I didn't have any luck with my 10,000k bulb. Most plants can only photosynthesise with light in the 6000-7000k range. I use 6500k Power compact bulbs. They are expensive, but totally worth it in my eyes. For a 30 gallon tank, if you can get 2 or 3 bulbs under the hood you will be golden.

 

[Discomafia]

Not true about the 10,000K bulbs Jen. I use them with good results in my 33G, and it's just 25watts... (I have a dual flourescent light fixture with two 30 watts, 6700K bulbs as well, but I'm trying to keep algae at a minimum until I get my CO2 levels stable...)

I think the 10,000K bulbs make the fish look more livelier, and I know many people that keep African cichlids who use 10,000K bulbs, as it brings out the colour in the fish more.(Then again, plants aren't a big priority in their tanks, so....)

I've read that bulbs with a higher K rating encourage algae growth because of the higher blue spectrum, but I've never had that happen in my tank. Maybe if I had more than 25watts, I could better inform you.

 

[George Farmer]

Should do fine. Plants generally aren't fussy about colour temp. if there's enough intensity. 10000K is bluer than 6500K, it's all down to taste. I've grown plants with tubes ranging from 3000K to 18000K (claimed).

It's true than algae prefers bluer light but if there's enough plant growth (brought about by plenty of light, CO2 etc.) then algae will not prevail.